The Hang Seng Index weakened 38 points, or 0.15%, to close at 25,524 on Tuesday (July 29th), reversing gains from the previous session as most sectors declined. Traders are increasingly cautious about the potential negative impact of the US-EU trade deal, including its implications for growth and inflation. Meanwhile, President Trump raised global tariffs by 15% to 20% for non-negotiating partners, a level not seen since the Great Depression. Profit-taking also weighed after benchmark indexes in Hong Kong and China recently hit multi-year highs. However, the benchmark indexes pared earlier...
Hong Kong stocks jumped 322 points, or 1.4%, to 23,188 on Monday morning, marking their eighth straight session of gains and hitting a 1-1/2-month high. The rally followed a strong surge in U.S. stock futures amid signs of progress in U.S.-China trade talks over the weekend. Washington has highlighted progress toward a deal while Beijing has confirmed both sides have agreed to start formal negotiations. Investor sentiment was further boosted by easing geopolitical tensions, including a fragile ceasefire between India and Pakistan and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy's openness to meeting...
The Nikkei 225 index rose 0.2% to 37,600 while the broader Topix index gained 0.4% to 2,744 on Monday, with Japanese shares hitting a six-week high as the U.S. cited "substantial progress" in trade talks with China over the weekend in Switzerland. The U.S. highlighted efforts to reduce its trade deficit, while Chinese leaders confirmed a "significant consensus" had been reached. However, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick noted that the 10% base tariff on other countries is expected to remain in place "for the foreseeable future." Investors are also keeping an eye on ongoing trade talks...
Asia-Pacific markets rose on Monday on optimism that U.S.-China trade tensions could ease after the two superpowers held talks in Switzerland over the weekend. Both countries touted a positive conclusion to high-stakes trade talks, with U.S. officials touting a deal to reduce their trade deficit, while Chinese leaders said they had reached an "important consensus." U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that the talks resulted in "significant" productivity gains. Meanwhile, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said a joint statement containing "good news for the world" would be released on...
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) followed the broader market lower on Friday, declining to 41,150 as investors gear up for a tense weekend. The United States (US) and China are headed for opening trade talks in Switzerland this weekend, but policymakers from both administrations have cautioned that talks will be strictly preliminary. Chinese delegates have specifically warned that a definitive deal could be months away. US President Donald Trump hit social media early on Friday, publicly musing about a potential walkback of tariffs on Chinese goods that currently stand at an...
European stocks closed firmly higher on Friday as the possibility that the US and China will de-escalate their trade war with talks this weekend supported risk-on assets. The STOXX 50 added 0.4% to 5,310 and the pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.4% to 548. On the policy front, ECB official Olli Rehn stated that the central bank should consider cutting interest rates in the upcoming meeting provided that upcoming forecasts confirm a continued disinflation trend and weakening growth momentum. Consumer discretionary companies and utility providers led the gains after lagging behind in the previous...